New district Iraqi Police headquarters opens in Diwaniya

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the 110th Military Police Company arrive at the Qada District's police headquarters for its opening ceremony, March 4, in Diwaniya.  

DIWANIYAH, IRAQ

03.04.2009

Story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP ECHO, Iraq – The Qada District's police headquarters opened in the city of Diwaniya, March 4.

Local citizens, contractors, Iraqi police and soldiers from the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the 110th Military Police Company celebrated the headquarters opening ceremony.

"They went from sharing an office to operating out of their own building," said 1st Lt. David Faulkner, 2nd Platoon Leader, 110th MP Co., attached to 2nd BCT. Faulkner works with eight stations encompassing two districts of Diwaniya.

"It allows better facilities for Iraqi police to focus on their training in a more conducive environment and allows a shorter distance of travel for each of the outlying stations," said Faulkner. The central location also allows the headquarters better command and control, as well as coordinating the collective police force in the entire district.

The headquarters was built by Iraqi contractors and workers with coordination through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Iraqi government.

The 2nd BCT began a working relationship with all the local Iraqi security forces after their arrival in September to Diwaniya, and the 110th MP Co. has been working with the IP for several months.

"Overall, we're advancing in our relations with them to further professionalize the Iraqi police force," said Faulkner, a Detroit resident. "It's a great opportunity to share our ideas of policing to enhance their way of doing things."

"It's been a learning experience on both sides," added Sgt. William Teal, team leader, 2nd Platoon, 110th Military Police Company and police transition team leader for two of the stations in the district.

He says the overall experience has been rewarding for the IPs, the MPs and for himself personally.

"Our mission with the IPs is to help them better their system," said Teal, a Nashville, Tenn. resident. "I'm here to help the country better itself and help the country stand on its own two feet."

• Date Taken: 03.04.2009
• Date Posted: 03.10.2009 11:53
• Story ID: 30962
• Location: DIWANIYAH, IQ